If you read the posts chronologically made, then it's clearl that no, I did not know that. I do now, and can perhaps accept this as a valid reason.

The other rationale mentioned, and the one that I was assuming, that clothes could be 'dirty' because of being touched by other hands, was what made engendered my reaction.

I also didn't know that clothes have sometimes been chemically treated but the reasons given to me when I asked why someone washed new clothes was just that," yuk because you don't know who has had them in their hands before you".

really? just because they wash stuff before using? most people wash fruits/veggies before eating i don't see too much of a difference. i'm not sure it's really phobia just good sense but to each his own i

Actually I think there's a big difference between fruit and veggies and clothing or, do you usually eat your clothes and put fruit and vegetables on your back, legs etc.?